Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1887-03-07
REV. w. G. HERH 4nKEwEr.r.
A Crowded Church and Affecting Scenes.
"A Popular Pastsr.


Crowded Church and Affecting Scenes.
"A Popular Pastsr.
Yesterday was memorable day at Wes-
ley Chapel NJ. Z. Church, in this city. II
was the occasion Of the farewell sermons
Of Rev. w g. Herbert, who has been the
pastor of the church for the past three
years and whose connection with the
church is now aboCt to be severed by the
memorable laws of the itcnerant system.
against the unanimous choice of the mem
beers. Mr.. Herbert has by his many good
qualities, his fidelity to his work, his I'm.
ceasing and untiring labors in the dis
charge of his duties, and his picty which
shines as a bright light strongly and
lastingly endeared himself not only
to the people over whom he has imme-
diately presided but to thccitizens gen.
orally, so that the regret at parting with
him extends from one end of the city to
the other.
Before the sermon the choir sang with
much feeling, the beautiful hymn, Meet
me There" In his sermon the pastor
compared his leave-taking with Paul.
farewell to the Ephesian Church, which
discourse was the basis of his remarks. In
the course Of his sermon Mr.. Herbert read
statistics showing that during his pasto-
rate here he had attended 101 funerals.
baptized adults and 1875 children, preach
ed 457 discourses; attended 297 class meet
ings, leading 246 times; conducted $40
prayer meetings.: married 81 couples, re
ceiying as marriage fees $235; made 800
visits among members of his congregation
and others, offering prayer at each visit;
received 200 in his church on probation
and 500 into full membership. When he
took charge three years ago the member
ship of the church was reported to him
as gil now there are $40 members, gain
of 159. The receipts during each of the
years averaged 81. 120 or 5000 in three
years, which has been sufficient to cover
all the church expenses.
In the morning the church was crowd
ed as it has rarely ever been before upon
any occasion and the pastor preached his
farewell sermon to the members of his
church, after which the sacrament was
administered to such a large number of
communicates that it lacked but short
while of two o'clock before the congre-
cation was dismissed. The scene, during
the preaching and the services generally
was remarkable one, for people and
pastor were completely overcome by the
thought of the parting and for most of
the time there were but few, if any, dry
eyes in the house.
In the afternoon there was lovefeast
and record of the kindly expressions
made for the preacher would more than
fill our entire paper. The occasion will
long be remembered
At night, the church was unable to
hold the people; every available space
was crowded; not only were the seats and
the pews intentionally filled, but the
pulpit and the steps leading to it, the al
tar railing and the aisles were filled with
standing people, pressing away back and
even filling the vestibule to the very en-
trance doors, while many people sat upon
the floor wherever they could.
At this time the minister preached es-
pecially to those whom for the past three
years he has unavailingly tried to induce
to connect themselves with the church,
and while his congregation seemed better
able to control their emotions than in
the morning, many times could handker-
chiefs he seem carried to the eyes After
the sermon. a revival service was held and
several were forward to the altar, some
two or three of whom protested CONVEX
sion and then the immense throng filed
around the pulpit railing to shake hands
with the pastor, and the scenes of the
morning were renewed.